Lid-support for piano-cases.



PATENTBD NOV. 27, 1906.

G. KOHLER. LID SUPPORT FOR PIANO GASES.

To overcome this objection, I have provided simple and efficient piano-lid support UNITED STATE-S OFFICE.

CHARLES KOHLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR- TO KOHLER &

CAMPBELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A FIRM.

LID-SUPPORT FOR PIANO-CASES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

Application filed July 24, 1905. Serial No. 270,936.

Be it known that I, CHARLES KOHLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Lid Support for Piano-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved support for the lid of an upright piano.

The especial object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficient means for hold ing the piano-lid open comprising a prop which can be pushed to one side when the lid is to be closed and which swings by gravity into position to support the lid when the lid is open.

The invention consists of the construction and combinations of parts, as hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of sufficient parts of a pianocasing to illustrate the application of this invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lid in its open position, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the parts.

In the use of the ordinary upright pianos, much better tone effects can be obtained when the piano-lid is open. In the majority of pianos, however, the lid is wider than the stationary back piece, which forms the re.

maining part of the topof the piano-casing, and when the piano stands against a wall, as is ordinarily the case, the piano-lid cannot be thrown back without striking against the wall.

which will hold the piano-lid in partly open or inclined position. In practice I have found that this has an additional advantage, as the lid will serve as a sound-deflector tend ing to throw part of the volume of sound out into the room.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a detail description of the piano-casing provided with a prop constructed according to this invention, as shown in Fig. 1, A designates part of an ordinary piano-casing, which is provided with a top strip B and a lid or hinged cover L.

The means which I have employed for supporting the lid in a partially open or inclined position comprises a swinging prop 10, which is pivotally supported upon ascrew 11. The prop 10 is arranged substantially at one side of the piano-casing, and in practice I have found that only one prop need be employed, although, if desired, the lid may be provided with a prop at each side.

Cooperating with the prop 10 and fastened to one of the end parts of the piano-casing is a block or support 13. The pivotal connection of the prop 10 with the lid L is located in such position relatively to the supporting-block 13 that the prop may be pushed to one side to permit the lid to close, as shown in Fig. 1; but when the lid is open the prop will hang down from its pivot-screw in vertical line vwith its block, so that when the lid has been swung back beyond its supported position and released the prop will serve to automatically support the lid.

The prop 10 is provided at its top with a projection 14, which in the position shown in Fig. 2 engages the U part of the screw 11 and prevents the prop from swinging forward beyond a position in which it will engage the block 13. This guards against the accidental displacement of the prop in a forward direction and insures that the prop shall be in such position as to operate in the manner described above.

The lower face of the prop 10 may, if desired, be provided with a felt cushion or facing 12 to prevent rattling.

I am aware that changes may be made in the shape and proportion of the particular prop and its cooperating block which may be employed according to the different types and designs of piano-lids in connection with which the same are to be used. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the particular construction I have herein shown and described; but What I do claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a piano, the combination of a casing, a lid closing the top of the casing, and means for holding the lid open, comprising a flat top block at one end of the casing, a prop pivotally connected with the lid at such a point as to permit the prop to be swung to one side of the block when the lid is to be closed, and having a flat lower surface adapted to rest on'the top of the block, the prop hanging from the lid in a vertical line over the block when the lid is I swinging motion in one direction.

2. In a piano, the combination of a casing,

a lid closing the top thereof, and means for holding the lid open, comprising a prop pivotally suspended from the lid and having a projection adapted to engage'a surface on the lid to limit the motion of the prop on its pivot in one direction, said prop being adapted to depend vertically from the lid, and a block located within the casing and adapted to support the lower end of the prop when the lid is open.

3. In an upright piano, the combination of a casing, a lid closing the top thereof, and means for holding the lid open, comprising a screw mounted. in the lid, a prop pivotally suspended from the screw and having a pro jection adapted to engage the screw to limit the motion of the f op on its pivot in one direction and having a lower fiat surface, and a block located within the casing and adapted to support the lower flat surface of the prop when the lid is open and to hold the lid in open position.

4. In an upright piano, the combination of a casing, a lid closing the top thereof, a prop pivotally suspended from said lid at a point substantially half-way between the point at which the lid is pivoted and the outer edge of the lid, said prop being adapted to depend vertically from the lid when the latter is in open position and having a lower flat surface, and a block located within the casing and having a flat top surface adapted to support the lower flat surface of the prop when the lid is open and hold the lid in open position, the prop being adapted to be swung to one side of the block when the lid is closed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

YHAS. KOHLER.

Witnesses:

PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, WALTER L. BARTLETT. 

